Smyrna times., 1887-01-26
Peninsula Superstition.
THE LAND OF GHOSTS AND spooKs.
Belief Of The People Of Maryland and
Deldware IN Signs and Omeas.


Belief Of the People Of Maryland and
Deldware IN Signs and Omens.
A correspondent of the PHILADELPHIA
Times, of an eminently fertile imagina-
ton, if not, indeed, of wonderful fac
ulty for handling the truth in decided
slipshOd manner, has the following to
say about the inhabitants of the Mary
land and Delaware peninsula. The
article is striking illustration of the
straits to which whilom country cores
pondents Of city dailies are oftimes re-
duced, and their ingenious methods of
escape
=" A belief in the supernatural and in
the forecasting of events by the signil-
cation of signs and omens is not, as is
generally supposed, restricted entirely
to the negro race of the Maryland and
Delaware peninsula. Superstition is
prevalent to a considerable degree
among the whites, and it is curious
that in many families where wealth and
intelligence predominate, an implicit
belief is put in signs and tokens and
what they pretend. They are sincere
in this belief and will cite numerous
instances where a mysterious knock
upon the door, the startling rattling of
window sash when the air was calm
and serene, or the dismal hOwling of
dog have been followed by bad luck ,
to give apparent strength to it.
" Among the white laboring classes
superstition holds their minds with a
wonderful power. Any strange phe-
nomenon in the heavens, any abnor-
NAL condition of the weather, or any
unusual commotiOn on land or sea
each has its own special significance,
and, while they all exercise an undue
influence upon the minds of these
people, each one formulates his or her
own opinion and draw their own per.
sonal conclusions as to the probable Sc
quence of these signs. A lady, veuer.
able in years, prominent in society, liv-
ing in atfluence and residing in Mary
land town, once dismissed a most dear
and intimate acquaintance with n
severe reprimand for touching upon her
ideas with regard to this belief. The
subject of superstition was under dis
cussion, and a large circle of friends
were present. The lady friend was
ridiculing such belief as preposterOus
and ignorant, and it was commented
upon adversely by several other mem
Ders OF the company. But the hostess
was invui herable to their attacks and
humorous puns, and goOd-naturedly
rebutted them by several incidents
which occurred which were in fresh
recollection by all preseut, and Incl
dentally mentioned her horror of a
person looking over her shoulder while
she was standing before a looking
glass. The evening wore ON, and when
the company was about to disperse, the
hostess arose to arrange her hair before
a small toilet lOOking-glass. Her friend
came up behind her suddenly, and
peered over her shoulder. A remark
able tableau ensued. With blanched
features the hostess threw up her hands
and, with wild shrek, fell swooning
to the floor. The proper restoratives
were resOrted to, and when she recOv-
cred consciousness she arose to her
feet, nervous and timorous Pointing
her finger at her heretofore bosom
friend, she said in firm, determined
voice:
We are friends no more. Gop
ExpOstulatiOns were useless; she
would listen to no explanations, and
with a wounded heart, and her face
bathed in tears, the lady took her de
parture. This occurred twenty years
ago. They have never exchanged
words since. By strange coincidence
of circumstances month or so after
ward intelligence of the death of the
only brother of the hostess, who was in
India, was received.
"On the first day of the new year,
the negro is deharred the privilege of
a white persons house, rs
their presence is regarded as an omen
of bad luck throughout the entire year.
Woe be to the person with black skin
who crosses the threshold of white !
mans house on the first day of the new
year. A negro man came near paying
the penalty of his fUrgetiulness in this
respect with his life. lie started in the
gate of house, and was advancing
toward the door. when he was con-
frOnled by resOlule and angry Occu-
pant, who stood ready to receive him
with wood axe. The frightened
negro suddenly collecting his senses,
and, remembering the day. turned to
flee. As he did so, the axe was hurled
after him, and went whizzing over his
head, the helve knocking off his hat
"There is to-day living in Lower
Delaware an old gentleman, once con-
spicuous in public life, who constantly
keeps his gun charged with the old
silver three-cent piece, who
has an implicit belief in their virtue to
destroy the power of negro conjurOrs
when fired at them. There are several
more who keep their revOlvers loaded